7 Dec 2013

NZ events to honour Mandela

11:11 am on 7 December 2013

A number of events are planned or underway in New Zealand to commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela.

South Africa's first black president died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday night (local time), triggering a worldwide chorus of respect.

The 95-year-old had been receiving medical care at home for a lung infection since being discharged from hospital in September this year. The Nobel laureate led the country's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s after 27 years in prison.

All New Zealand flags on government buildings were flying at half mast on Friday.

At Parliament, a condolence book to write messages in memory of Mr Mandela will be available for signing at Parliament until 13 December.

At the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington this weekend there will be two memorial spaces set up in his memory on level 2 and in the marae space on level 4. The museum will also have a memorial book for people to sign.

The exterior of the Auckland War Memorial Museum will be lit in the colours of the South African flag for three nights from Friday as a tribute to Mr Mandela's achievements.

Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral has been asked by the South African consulate to host a memorial service. The date and time of this has yet to be announced.

St Mary's Church, which is next door, will have a public memorial book from next week.